Objective Objective To analyze the potential spatial factors affecting the genetic differentiation of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 13 administrative villages were selected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province as O. hupensis snail sampling sites. At least 200 snails were collected in each site, and the spatial variable data of each site were recorded, including longitude, latitude and altitude. Thirty active and Schistosoma japonicum uninfected O. hupensis snails were selected from each sampling site by means of the crawling method and the cercarial shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from O. hupensis snails. Following PCR amplification, purification of PCR amplification products and sequencing, the gene sequences of O. hupensis snail samples were spliced and edited using the DNAstar software and the NCBI database to yield the complete mitochondrial sequences of O. hupensis snails at each sampling site, and the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni was calculated at each sampling site. The geographical coordinates of each sampling site were marked using the software ArcGIS 10.2, and the straight-line geographical distance between each sampling site was calculated. The altitude difference, longitude difference and latitude difference between each sampling site were calculated using the Excel software, and the correlation between the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni and each spatial variable matrix was examined by using the Mantel test at 13 sampling sites in Yunnan Province. Results Among the 13 O. hupensis snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province, the largest mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Caizhuang Village, Midu County (26.244 2), and the largest geographical distance was seen between Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (272.64 km). The highest altitude difference was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1 086.10 m), and the largest longitude difference was found between Qiandian Village, Eryuan County and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (1.86°), while the largest latitude difference was measured between Leqiu Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1.81°). In addition, the mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was positively correlated with altitude at 13 snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province (r = 0.542 8, P < 0.001), and showed no significant correlations with geographical distance (r = 0.093 4, P > 0.05), longitude (r = −0.199 5, P > 0.05) or latitude (r = 0.205 7, P > 0.05). Conclusion Altitude may be a potential spatial factor affecting the genetic differentiation of O. hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province.

Objective To assess the echogenicity of the ultrasound-guided catheter and its associated delivery system. Methods The study consisted of in vitro characterization experiments and animal studies. In the in vitro phase, the acoustic and mechanical properties of the ultrasound-guided catheter were compared with those of the traditional MPA2 catheter, including parameters such as echo intensity, recognizability, and angle dependence. In the animal experiments, a ventricular septal defect (VSD) model was established in miniature pigs to compare the procedural performance of the ultrasound-guided delivery system versus the conventional system. Evaluation indicators included the time required for the system to cross the VSD, the detection rate of the system within the right ventricle, and the occurrence of intraoperative complications. Results The ultrasound-guided catheter demonstrated a significantly higher mean echo intensity than the MPA2 catheter [(237.3±1.8) dB vs. (190.9±13.1) dB, P<0.001] and a markedly improved recognizability rate (82.3%±5.6% vs. 26.7%±3.2%, P<0.001), along with better angle independence and image quality. In animal experiments, the ultrasound-guided delivery system significantly reduced the time required to cross the VSD [(18.5±5.7) min vs. (30.3±4.5) min, P<0.001] and substantially increased the detection rate within the right ventricle (100.0% vs. 30.0%). No severe complications occurred in any experimental animal. Conclusion The ultrasound-guided catheter and its corresponding delivery system exhibite superior ultrasound visibility and operational performance in both in vitro and animal experiments, indicating strong potential for clinical application.

Objective To conduct Monte Carlo simulations on the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source, investigate dose distributions under various conditions, and provide assistance in optimizing radiotherapy plans. Methods A microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source model was established based on the MCNP5 software. Theoretical calculation formulas were used to validate the simulation results. The dose distributions under different activities and positions were obtained through simulations using the MCNP5 transport program. By fitting the simulation data, the relationship between the safe distance for at-risk organs and treatment time was analyzed. Results As the distance from the origin increased in the X-direction, the distance required for the absorbed dose rate to decrease to half its original value increased, and the isodose lines became sparser. The shapes of the dose distribution diagrams under different activities were consistent, presenting concentric polygons and concentric circles at different distances. Under the condition of the same lethal dose, the difference in the safe distance between two organs increased with time; under different lethal dose conditions, the differences were not significant whether between similar organs or between different organs. Conclusion The Monte Carlo method can accurately describe the radiation field generated by the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radioactive source during high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Quantitative analysis of the radiation field will help optimize the radiotherapy plan.

Objective To conduct Monte Carlo simulations on the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source, investigate dose distributions under various conditions, and provide assistance in optimizing radiotherapy plans. Methods A microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source model was established based on the MCNP5 software. Theoretical calculation formulas were used to validate the simulation results. The dose distributions under different activities and positions were obtained through simulations using the MCNP5 transport program. By fitting the simulation data, the relationship between the safe distance for at-risk organs and treatment time was analyzed. Results As the distance from the origin increased in the X-direction, the distance required for the absorbed dose rate to decrease to half its original value increased, and the isodose lines became sparser. The shapes of the dose distribution diagrams under different activities were consistent, presenting concentric polygons and concentric circles at different distances. Under the condition of the same lethal dose, the difference in the safe distance between two organs increased with time; under different lethal dose conditions, the differences were not significant whether between similar organs or between different organs. Conclusion The Monte Carlo method can accurately describe the radiation field generated by the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radioactive source during high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Quantitative analysis of the radiation field will help optimize the radiotherapy plan.

Objective To conduct Monte Carlo simulations on the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source, investigate dose distributions under various conditions, and provide assistance in optimizing radiotherapy plans. Methods A microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radiation source model was established based on the MCNP5 software. Theoretical calculation formulas were used to validate the simulation results. The dose distributions under different activities and positions were obtained through simulations using the MCNP5 transport program. By fitting the simulation data, the relationship between the safe distance for at-risk organs and treatment time was analyzed. Results As the distance from the origin increased in the X-direction, the distance required for the absorbed dose rate to decrease to half its original value increased, and the isodose lines became sparser. The shapes of the dose distribution diagrams under different activities were consistent, presenting concentric polygons and concentric circles at different distances. Under the condition of the same lethal dose, the difference in the safe distance between two organs increased with time; under different lethal dose conditions, the differences were not significant whether between similar organs or between different organs. Conclusion The Monte Carlo method can accurately describe the radiation field generated by the microselectro-HDR¹⁹²Ir radioactive source during high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Quantitative analysis of the radiation field will help optimize the radiotherapy plan.

Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease across the world, which imposes a substantial burden on human health and socioeconomic development in endemic areas. From a One Health perspective, this review systematically summarizes the legal framework, scheme, integrated interventions, control achievements, and challenges in the national echinococcosis control programme of China. An integrated strategy centered on control of the source of Echinococcus infections has been implemented for echinococcosis control in China, and cross-sectoral and cross-regional multidisciplinary coordination mechanisms have been progressively established, resulting in remarkable achievements gained in human health, animal health, and integrated environmental management. The endemicity of echinococcosis remarkably reduced in China in 2023 as compared to results from the national echinococcosis epidemiological survey in China between 2012 and 2016 (baseline), with an 82.14% reduction in human prevalence, an 80.00% reduction in detection of echinococcosis among children, a reduction of prevalent echinococcosis patients to 25 400 cases, a 36.96% reduction in the number of dogs, an 88.24% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in dogs, a 67.00% reduction in the number of stray dogs, an 80.77% reduction in the prevalence of echinococcosis in live-stock, and a 69.23% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in rodents. Nevertheless, an estimated 14 600 canines were found to have Echinococcus infections in endemic areas across China in 2023, and the prevalence of Echinococcus infections increased by 241.03% in wild canines in 2023 relative to in 2021, which underscores the persistent threat to echinococcosis transmission. Future efforts are required to strengthen the One Health governance system, increase the financial investment, foster innovations in integrated control technologies, enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, and improve the capacity building at the grassroots level to advance the achievement of the national target of basically controlling echinococcosis in all endemic counties in China by 2030, thereby facilitating the process towards echinococcosis control and elimination.

Objective To investigate gender differences and age-related changes in body composition(BC)among Miao adults in Rongshui,Guangxi Province,and to provide the basis for assessing nutritional status and health.Methods With informed consent,630 Miao adults(218 males,412 females)were randomly selected for this study.Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA).Results Weight,fat-free mass,muscle mass,trunk muscle mass,limb muscle mass,waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),body water,presumtion of bone mass and protein were significantly higher in males than in females.And the fat mass,trunk fat mass,limb fat mass,visceral fat content,subcutaneous fat content and percentage of body fat were significantly higher in females than in males.According to the evaluation of body mass index(BMI)and WHR,the proportion of overweight and obesity of Miao adults was higher than the average level of Miao residents,and their obesity was characterized by central obesity.With age,weight,fat mass,muscle mass,fat-free mass,limb muscle mass,limb fat mass,subcutaneous fat content,percentage of body fat,body water,presumtion of bone mass,and protein of Rongshui Miao adults showed a gradual decreasing trend,while visceral fat content and WHR increased progressively.BMI in male Miao adults,along with BMI,fat mass,trunk fat mass,subcutaneous fat content,percentage of body fat,and body water in female Miao adults,showed a trend of increasing followed by decreasing,peaking at the age of 40-49 years.Conclusion The body composition of Miao adults in Rongshui,Guangxi,exhibits significant gender differences and age-related variation change patterns,which may increase the risk of sarcopenia and metabolic diseases with aging.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of combined telephone and WeChat follow-up for patients discharged with an indwelling closed thoracic drainage tube after surgery for stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema. Methods Patients with stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema who were discharged with an indwelling drainage tube from the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, between November 2021 and November 2022 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into an observation group (combined telephone and WeChat follow-up) and a control group (telephone-only follow-up). The quality of life (QoL), treatment adherence, and recovery outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 81 patients were included. The observation group consisted of 49 patients (31 males, 18 females) with a mean age of (38.63±15.86) years. The control group consisted of 32 patients (27 males, 5 females) with a mean age of (36.91±17.33) years. The observation group showed significantly better postoperative QoL outcomes in the domains of physical functioning, emotional functioning, physical symptoms, global health status, and overall QoL compared to the control group (all P<0.05). Regarding treatment adherence, the observation group demonstrated superior performance in daily activity duration, use of a respiratory trainer, and adherence to coughing exercises compared to the control group (all P<0.001). The duration of chest tube indwelling was significantly shorter in the observation group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the observation group showed better recovery in albumin and hemoglobin levels (both P<0.05). Conclusion A combined telephone and WeChat follow-up approach can significantly improve the QoL and treatment adherence for patients discharged with an indwelling drainage tube. This method effectively shortens the duration of postoperative tube drainage, promotes nutritional recovery, and accelerates overall postoperative rehabilitation.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical features of patients with hepatitis B virus （HBV）-related early-onset liver cancer and those with late-onset liver cancer， to assess the severity of the disease， and to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 695 patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related liver cancer for the first time in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital， Guangzhou Medical University， from January 2019 to August 2023， among whom 93 had early-onset liver cancer （defined as an age of50 years for female patients and40 years for male patients） and 602 had late-onset liver cancer （defined as an age of ≥50 years for female patients and ≥40 years for male patients）. Related clinical data were collected， including demographic data， clinical symptoms at initial diagnosis， comorbidities， smoking history， drinking history， family history， routine blood test results， biochemical parameters of liver function， serum alpha-fetoprotein（AFP）， virological indicators， coagulation function， and imaging findings. The pan-inflammatory indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio （PLR）， and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio （LMR） were calculated， as well as FIB-4 index， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， S index， Model for End-Stage Liver Disease （MELD） score， Child-Turcotte-Pugh （CTP） score， albumin-bilirubin （AIBL） grade， and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer （BCLC） stage. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of male patients and the incidence rates of diabetes， hypertension， and fatty liver disease （χ²=6.357， 15.230， 11.467， and 14.204， all P0.05）， and compared with the late-onset liver cancer group， the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly higher proportion of patients progressing to liver cancer without underlying cirrhosis （χ²=24.657， P0.001） and a significantly higher proportion of patients with advanced BCLC stage （χ²=6.172， P=0.046）. For the overall population， the most common clinical symptoms included abdominal distension， abdominal pain， poor appetite， weakness， a reduction in body weight， edema of both lower limbs， jaundice， yellow urine， and nausea， and 55 patients （7.9%） had no obvious symptoms at the time of diagnosis and were found to have liver cancer by routine reexamination， physical examination suggesting an increase in AFP， or radiological examination indicating hepatic space-occupying lesion； compared with the late-onset liver cancer group， the patients in the early-onset liver cancer group were more likely to have the symptoms of abdominal distension， abdominal pain， and jaundice （all P0.05）. Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group， the early-onset liver cancer group had a significantly larger tumor diameter （Z=2.845， P=0.034）， with higher prevalence rates of multiple tumors and intrahepatic， perihepatic， or distant metastasis （χ²=5.889 and 4.079， both P0.05）， and there were significant differences between the two groups in tumor location and size （χ²=3.948 and 11.317， both P0.05）. Compared with the late-onset liver cancer group， the early-onset liver cancer group had significantly lower FIB-4 index， proportion of patients with HBsAg ≤1 500 IU/mL， and levels of LMR and Cr （all P0.05）， as well as significantly higher positive rate of HBeAg and levels of log₁₀ HBV DNA， AFP， WBC， Hb， PLT， NLR， PLR， TBil， ALT， Alb， and TC （all P0.05）. ConclusionCompared with late-onset liver cancer， patients with early-onset liver cancer tend to develop liver cancer without liver cirrhosis and have multiple tumors， obvious clinical symptoms， and advanced BCLC stage， which indicates a poor prognosis.

Objective To analyze the scanning parameters and radiation dose characteristics of pediatric CT examinations in Jiangxi Province, China, and to provide a basis for optimizing radiation protection in children. Methods The data of 1021 CT scans in children aged 0-15 years were collected from seven hospitals in Jiangxi Province, including one provincial hospital, four municipal hospitals, and two county-level hospitals. The data consisted of 405 head scans, 352 chest scans, and 264 abdominal scans. The scanning parameters kV, mAs, and scan length as well as the dose metrics weighted CT dose index and dose length product (DLP) were analyzed. Differences across age groups, anatomical regions, and hospitals were compared using one-way analysis of variance, and the results were compared with domestic and foreign studies. Results There were significant differences in scanning parameters and radiation doses among children of different age groups in CT examinations, and the differences between hospitals were also significant. The chest mAs and DLP in Hospital E were significantly higher than those in Hospital A, and the abdominal DLP in Hospital D was 4.3 times that of Hospital A. Compared with domestic and foreign studies, the DLP values of various anatomical regions in the < 1 year group were generally higher in the present study. The abdominal DLP in the < 1 year group (232.4 mGy·cm) was 3.3 times that in Tianjin. The head DLP in the 1-5 year group was higher than those in Germany and the United States. The chest DLP of the 11-15 year group was higher than that in Germany but lower than that in Henan Province. Conclusion There are significant differences in radiation doses received by children during CT examination in Jiangxi Province by age, anatomical region, and hospital, with some metrics exceeding domestic and international levels. Recommendations include optimizing scanning parameters (e.g., reducing mA/kV and adopting automatic exposure control technology), standardizing scan ranges, and establishing local diagnostic reference levels to mitigate radiation risks.